Day 345 or December the 11th. Do the right thing.
Our thoughts today come from Titus chapter 2
verse 7 and Philemon verse 17. In everything
set them an example by doing what is good. In
your teaching show integrity and seriousness.
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him
as you would welcome me. First, the big picture
surrounding these two verses. Paul writes to
two early believers, one in Crete and the other
an escaped slave called Onesimus, who has run
away from his master in Colossae and finds Christ
in Rome. Titus was the leader of the church in
Crete and is mentioned in several of the letters
in the New Testament. Crete was a place renowned
for its untruthfulness and immorality, and to
be a Cretan or Cretan was some burden to bear
for a respectable inhabitant of that beautiful
island. Even today we use a similar word to describe
a very stupid person. Paul concentrates on teaching
Titus how important it is to say the right things
and do the right things, no matter what is going
on around you. In addition, in his letter to
Philemon, who was not mentioned anywhere else
in the Bible, Paul pleads on behalf of a slave
called Onesimus, who is now a believer, that
Philemon treats him as a brother and not as a
criminal. And finally our action step for today.
Titus is surrounded by bad examples, and Paul
encourages him to be a good example. What a lesson
for us to learn and master, not to let others
determine what we do, but to act according to
our own beliefs, rather than under pressure from
others. Similarly, Philemon is challenged to
do the right thing, and treat his runaway slave,
Onesimus, just the same as if he was Paul himself.
Treating everyone lovingly is very difficult,
but as Jesus loves everyone the same, and died
for everyone too, we have no choice in the matter.
That's why it's a commandment to love each other.
Try always to see the good in others, and show
them the good that's in you, and it may get easier.